Malaysia rises 10 notches to 15th spot in Global Investor Confidence survey

It said Malaysia benefited from the strong inbound regional FDI flows and good performance in financial services, heavy industry and primary industry.

In a statement here today, A.T. Kearney said Malaysia aimed to build on its competitive position in electronics, automotive, and machinery manufacturing to move up the value chain into high-technology, skill-intensive segments.

It also noted that semiconductor and electronics components distributor Mouser Electronics, part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, has opened a customer service centre in Penang to meet increasing local demand.

In 2013, the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park opened for business as a joint investment by the two countries, with its Chinese joint owner Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group taking a 40 percent stake in Kuantan Port, with easy access to southern China, and plans to double its capacity.

Meanwhile, it said Asia, which attracted roughly a third of all FDI, has shown particular resilience.

"With investment still pouring into China and with India now on the rise, we notice too the collective strength of Asean as an investment destination of choice especially with the coming of the Asean Economic Community.

"Last year Asean total investment outstripped even China and this year's FDICI seems to presage more of the same," its Asia Pacific leader John Kurtz noted.

China is at No. 2 on the index, behind only the United States, while India dropped two notches in the Top 10 at No.7, resulting from a cooling off in investor sentiment in such sectors as multi-brand retail and mining.

Australia also remained in the Top 10 at No. 8 while Singapore, with its famously predictable regulations and low corporate tax rate, strengthened its standing in the Top 10 to No. 9.

The FDICI is constructed using primary data from a proprietary survey administered to senior executives of the world's leading corporations.